USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the Presbytery of Washington : including a brief account of the planting of the Presbyterian church in Western Pennsylvania and parts adjacent, with sketches of pioneer ministers and ruling elders ; also sketches of later ministers and ruling elders > Part 29
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" In January, 1861, the Rev. John J. Baker, of Augusta County, Virginia, having accepted a call to the office of co-pastor of this church, placed in his hands by the Presbytery of Lexington, repaired to this city, and commenced and continued to dis- charge the duties of his office in a satisfactory manner from the first of March, 1861, until the first of July following, when, at a congregational meeting called at his re- quest, he tendered his resignation, from considerations connected with the political state of the country, which resignation was, by a resolution of the meeting expressing their confidence in Mr. Baker, that he had acted from honorable motives in the premises, duly accepted, and that his further relation to this church was terminated. . he never having connected himself with the Presbytery of Washington."
On the first Sabbath of January, 1862, Rev. D. W. Fisher, having accepted a call to the office of co-pastor, was installed in said office, Rev. H. R. Weed, D.D., preaching the sermon, the Rev. R. V. Dodge delivering the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. James I. Brownson, D.D., to the people.
Soon afterwards the Rev. Dr. Weed removed to West Phila- delphia, where he spent the closing years of his life. On Decem-
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ber 14, 1870, he " fell asleep in Jesus," and his remains were in- terred in the Stone Church Cemetery, Forks of Wheeling, West Virginia.
The pastorate of Rev. D. W. Fisher, D.D., continued for four- teen years and four months, ending at his own request, April, 1876. Dr. Fisher was an accurate scholar, a scriptural-preacher, a conscientious Christian gentleman, a good presbyter, and highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry. He is now the President of Hanover College, Indiana.
THE PRESENT PASTORATE .- The historical record is thus :
" At a meeting of the congregation of this church, held on Wednesday evening, July 26, 1876, which was largely attended, Rev. David A. Cunningham, D.D., of Philadelphia, was elected pastor of this church with great unanimity. Dr. Cunning- ham accepted the call thus extended, and filled the pulpit for the first time on Sab- bath, September 17th. On the evening of October 6th, 1876, the installation took place by a committee of Presbytery, Rev. George P. Hays, D.D., President of Wash- ington and Jefferson College, preaching the sermon, Rev. Alexander McCarrell, D.D., giving the charge to the people, and Rev. William H. Lester to the pastor."
During the present pastorate of twelve years, the additions to the church by certificate have been 322, and by profession of faith, 262, making in all 584. The present actual membership of the church, after deducting removals by death and otherwise, is a little over five hundred.
RULING ELDERS (from the beginning, with the date of their installation) .- Andrew Woods, Sr., Peter W. Gale, and Redick McKee, ordained and installed May 26, 1826; John C. Bayless, September 26, 1829; Nathaniel Peppard, February 4, 1832; N. W. Smith, John Laughlin, and Sturley Cuthbert, April 11, 1832; Nathaniel Peppard and John C. Bayless, re-elected January 26. 1834; Zechariah Jacob, Samuel H. Davis, and David Agnew, October 10, 1835; Samuel Ott, May 22, 1842; William Tem- pleton, John Moore, William B. Quarrier, and Jacob Senseney, January 7, 1843; John Robertson, Thomas G. Culbertson, E. H. Fitzhugh, and James A. Fetzer, February 20, 1850; J. Gamble Baker, James Paull, Alexander Bone, John J. Hoge, and William Wing Nicoll, January, 1857; Joseph A. Metcalf, November, 1869; William Riheldaffer, Samuel L. Jepson, M.D., and Monroe A. Chandler, October 5, 1873; Gibson L. Cranmer and Robert
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White, December 28, 1879; James N. Vance, Frederick H. Williams, and Alfred Paull, March 20, 1887.
ELDERS (now serving) .- Samuel L. Jepson, M.D., Gibson L. Cranmer, Robert White, James N. Vance, Frederick H. Wil- liams and Alfred Paull.
DEACONS .- William Templeton, Neil McNaughton and Craig Ritchie, ordained October 10, 1835; John Knote and Samuel Neal, February 20, 1850; Dr. A. S. Todd, January, 1857; Wil- liam Riheldaffer, November, 1869 (elected and ordained ruling elder, October 5, 1873); Oliver J. Crawford, Jacob M. Bickel, William H. Irwin, and George Robinson, October 5, 1873; Wil- liam F. Butler, Myron Hubbard, and Charles Henry Merkle, March 20, 1887.
TRUSTEES (present Board) .- Henry M. Russell, Henry M. Harper, Charles J. Rawlings, William L. Glessner, William H. Hearne, and James B. Rhodes. Treasurer, John C. Riheldaffer ; Secretary, Joseph R. Paull.
SEVENTEEN MINISTERS have come out of families connected with the First Church. Their names are: Revs. M. Hale Hous- ton, William W. Houston, David C. Irwin, Alfred Paull, John Riheldaffer, William Riheldaffer, William Clements, John H. Oxtoby, Charles H. McClellan, Martin Luther Todd, Edgar Woods, Prof. Henry Woods, Edward L. Belden, Joseph Math- ers, Joseph Wylie, and two brothers by the name of Templeton. Four of these were foreign missionaries :- one to China, one to Africa, one to India, and one to the Pacific Islands. Of these, some are still occupying fields of usefulness in the Master's vineyard, and others have gone home to receive the crown of glory.
Two of the young ladies of the church became foreign mis- sionaries .- Miss Julia Dodge, afterward the wife of Rev. Mr. Carothers, labored successfully in Japan ; and Miss Belle Cald- well took charge of an important school in the City of Bangkok, Siam, where she was married to Rev. Mr. Culburtson.
Mrs. D. A. Cunningham, the wife of the present pastor, has been the president of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbytery of Washington since its organization in 1877.
The women of this church have always been among its most
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efficient workers. For example-there is a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society in the church; a Woman's Home Missionary Society ; the Cherith Band of Young Ladies; the Sidney Ott Band of Children, and the Boys' Mission Club.
A part of the ground on which the church edifice stands, was deeded by a liberal citizen, Noah Zane, October - 5, 1816; two additions were made to the lot afterwards; and in 1831-32, the first house of worship was erected on the present ground, and the pews were sold or rented to the members of the con- gregation.
The church edifice was enlarged at a cost of $15,000, and re- dedicated on the first Sabbath of June, 1856, the pastor, Dr. Weed, preaching the sermon, on Isaiah 60: 13-" I will make the place of my feet glorious."
In 1871 the congregation again expended between ten and eleven thousand dollars in a thorough repair of the building and a remodeling of the audience-room, so far as to build a recess in the rear of the pulpit for the occupation of the organ. An organ was first introduced into the church in 1862, during the pastorate of Dr. Fisher. At a meeting of the Session, November 24, 1862, the following action was taken : " Resolved, that the Session assent to the introduction of an organ into the Church, with the under- standing that its use is to be under the control of the Session."
The church building was again thoroughly renovated, includ- ing the lecture and audience room together, with beautiful memorial windows, new pews and new heaters, at a cost of about $13.312, and was re-dedicated on Sabbath, April 11, ISS6, the pastor, Rev. D. A. Cunningham, D.D., preaching on the text, Psalm 84: 1, 2.
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL was founded in the summer or the fall of the year 1818, when Wheeling was a village containing a population of about one thousand people.
The following are the superintendents from ISIS to 1888 : Redick McKee, John Knote, John J. Hoge, J. Gamble Baker, William Wing Nicoll, S. L. Jepson, M.D., Henry M. Russell, Alfred Paull, William A. List, Joseph M. Bellville, and Frederick H. Williams.
About the year 1872 a Mission School, on Eighteenth street,
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was organized, and has been successfully carried on by the church. The superintendents have been, Oscar Boyd, M. A. A. Chandler, H. M. Russell, Alexander Bone, William A. List, and, for the last nine years, Col. Robert White. The Sabbath schools are in a healthful condition, and have a membership of over five hundred. The weekly contributions of the church- school to the various Boards are unusual in their amounts.
As the church has grown in numbers and financial strength, there has also been an increase in the offerings unto the Lord for the spread of the gospel in our own and foreign lands.
During the three pastorates, beginning with the installation of Dr. Weed in 1835, and until the present date, there have been some marked seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, when many souls were born into the Kingdom of Christ; but for the most part the growth has come under the prayerful, earnest preaching of the Word, accompanied by diligent, faithful pastoral work.
WOLF RUN .*
This church, which has its house of worship in the western part of Marshall County, W. Va., was organized March 15, 1829, by Rev. James Hervey. Eighteen members were en- rolled. At this time an old log church was standing. A Presbyterian congregation had been gathered here several years previously.
In the first years of its existence it was united successively with Unity and with Elizabethtown (now Moundsville), sharing the labors of the same pastor or stated supply. (Vide sketches of Unity and Moundsville Churches.)
In later years it has had connection with Allen Grove and Limestone, and shared the labors of Rev. Messrs. Brown, Mor- ton and others. (Vide sketches of Allen Grove and Limestone Churches.)
RULING ELDERS .- The elders at the time of organization were Wm. Archer and Robt. McConahey.
In 1832 Wm. McCleary and John Thompson were ordained. In 1838 Andrew Mitcheltre. At an unknown date Emanuel Francis, John B. Taylor, Wm. Keyser. In 1863 Wm. Mc-
* By REV. W. F. HAMILTON.
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Conahey, Robt. Taylor. In 1871 Michael Crow, Berridge L. Crow. At an unknown date Isaiah Arnold was added. In 1878 John T. Blake and Joseph T. McCombs were ordained. The two last named compose the existing session.
Wm. Archer was " dismissed to join the Campbellite Baptist Church." Robt. McConahey, dismissed -----; Wm. MeCleary, died in office ----; John Thompson, dismissed to Pittsburgh ; A. Mitcheltre, removed to Ohio ----; Emanuel Francis, dismissed to Limestone; still living, very old and is blind; John B. Taylor, dismissed to West Alexander, and died there, in 1876; Wm. Keyser, dismissed in 1875, to Cameron, whence he removed to Winchester, Va., and died there in 1882; Wm. Mc- Conahey removed to Parkersburg; Robert Taylor died in of- fice, in 1868; Michael Crow, dismissed to West Union; B. L. Crow, dismissed, and is an elder at Cameron; Isaiah Arnold; died in office, September, 1888.
About the year 1860 the site previously occupied was aban- doned, and a new building erected, about half a mile distant. This is still in use.
WEST UNION .*
This church, which has its house of worship in Dallas, Mar- shall County, W. Va., was organized September 23, 1831, by Rev. James Hervey and Mr. Samuel Oldham, ruling elder in the church of West Alexander.
The following persons were received into the church at its organization : Alexander Gunn, David Stewart, Thomas Steele, Judith Spriggs, Elizabeth Baird, Sarah Chambers, John Mc- Cracken, Jane McCracken, Jane Parks, Helen Ritchie, Robert Galloway, Robert Wallace, Esther A. Wallace, Sarah Suther- land, Margaret Morris, John Baird and Elizabeth Baird.
Messrs. Alexander Gunn, David Steward and Thomas Steele were elected and ordained elders in the new church.
None of the original members are now living.
The Rev. James Hervey, who had been preaching in this region since the fall of 1828, as occasional supply, was now given a call to become pastor of the church for one-half his time, at a salary of one hundred and sixty dollars per annum.
* By REV. A. J. ALEXANDER.
:
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He accepted the call April 17, 1832, and was shortly there- after installed.
The people in this region were largely of Scotch-Irish ori- gin, and had a strong leaning toward the Presbyterian faith. There were, however, but few pious families in the community. The state of society in and around Dallas was wild and reck- less, to a deplorable degrec. Drunkenness, Sabbath desecra- tion, gambling and other vices were the order of the day. His work, therefore, was hard pioneer work. He was a self-sacri- ficing, hard toiling minister of the gospel. He broke up much fallow ground in this region. He sowed much good seed in the hearts of this people, and was permitted to reap an encour- aging harvest of spiritual results. The state of society was much improved, and many precious souls were saved through his labors here.
During his ministry in this place a house of worship was erected. It was finished in the spring of 1832. This was en- larged at an expense of six hundred and thirty-five dollars in the year 1836. He resigned his charge in April, of 1840. He died September 28, 1859, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. After the resignation of Rev. James Hervey a call was extended to Rev. James Fleming, for the whole of his time, at a salary of four hundred dollars a year. He accepted the call in the spring of 1840, and was soon thereafter installed pastor of the church. He did a good work in the congregation. He was an carnest temperance reformer. Through his influence and that of his predecessor, the use of spirituous liquors as a beverage was very generally put away from the households of the peo- ple. The cause of morals and religion was greatly advanced- the whole community, in all its best interests, was lifted up to a higher plane of social and religious life, and the church grew and prospered. An extensive revival took place in the winter of 1852-53. Fifty persons were received into the church at this time.
Rev. Prof. Murray, of Washington College, Pa., assisted the pastor during these meetings. He resigned his pastorate in September, of 1856. He died at Dunlap, Ill., November 16, 1886, in the eightieth year of his age. After Rev. James
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Fleming's resignation the church was supplied for a short time by presbytery.
Rev. T. B. Van Eman served the church as stated supply for six months, and then received a call to become its pastor, but declined to accept it.
The Rev. William J. Alexander began his labors. here, as stated supply, in the fall of 1857.
During the winter of 1857-58, the church was greatly quick- ened, and about thirty persons were hopefully converted.
In the spring of 1858 a call was given him to become pastor of the church. This call engaged to pay him $600 a year. He accepted the call and was installed the June following. The first few years of this pastorate were years of great prosperity. A new house of worship 42 feet by 60 feet, with a 16 foot story, was erected at a cost of $4000 while he labored here. But upon the breaking out of the civil war, trouble and disaster overtook this church as so many others. Lying upon the dividing line between a slave state and a free state it could hardly be other- wise. To this cause and to the unsettled state of the finances of the church, may be traced nearly all these long years of bitter contention among this people. The latter part of his labors, for this reason, fell upon troublous times. The cares and wounded feeling, growing out of these trials, injured his health, and he resigned his pastorate in the fall of 1868. He died in the midst of a glorious revival in progress in the East Buffalo Church, January 20, 1869, in the forty-third year of his age.
The Rev. Robert B. Farrar began to preach to this people February 1, 1869. The church was in the midst of a revival. Rev. Jonathan Cross had been conducting a series of meetings and was having marked success.
Rev. R. B. Farrar carried on the revival services from this time. One hundred and fifty persons, shortly thereafter, connected themselves with the church. He received a call from the church the following spring, and was installed pastor June 25, 1869. His salary was $800 per annum until in the latter part of 1872, it was increased by order of Presbytery to $1000 a year. The church was heavily burdened with debt at the beginning of this pastorate. There were divisions and an evil spirit rife in the
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congregation. But notwithstanding this embarrassing state of things, the church prospered to a fair degree. The indebted- ness was paid off. The old difficulties, however, only being par- tially healed, broke out afresh and new ones arose implicating the pastor. He felt that the best interests of the church re- quired his resignation. He resigned in the spring of 1876. He died at Beaver Creek, Minn., January 14, 1888, in the fifty- first year of his age. The Rev. Joseph S. Pomeroy supplied the church for six months during the summer of 1876. By this time the church was again plunged into debt.
The Rev. John H. Aughey began his labors here December 31, 1876, and was installed pastor May 22, 1877, at a salary of $1000 a year. While he was a good preacher, his success as a minister seems more largely due to his eminently social quali- ties. He possessed to an uncommon degree the power to please the people, both in his visitations among the families and in his pulpit ministrations. He gathered and held a large congrega- tion of hearers. The high tide mark of the church's strength and prosperity was reached during this pastorate. The congre- gation paid off its indebtedness and grew in numbers and inter- est, and all the branches of church work went forward success- fully under his care. There were two seasons of precious revival during his pastorate, cach bringing large accessions to the church. The storms of former years however had not altogether spent their force. Old feelings that had lain dormant but not forgotten, under new occasions were excited afresh and broke out into open complaint and opposition, toward the latter part of his pastorate. The smouldering sparks hidden in the recesses of the old nature, fanned by imprudent words and unwise acts, soon blazed into a flame and the whole congre- gation was in another conflagration. The pastor being involved directly in these difficulties, felt that both his usefulness and comfort were at an end here, consequently he resigned his charge July 5, 1881. The church was left again with a debt resting on it.
The Rev. Alexander G. Eagleson was the next pastor of the West Union Church. He began his work here in October of 1881, as a supply and was installed pastor January 17, 1882. He entered upon his work in this field when the people were
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very much divided. It could only be with the greatest prudence and wisdom that any one would be able to escape censure in one direction or another. The same fate awaited him that befell those who preceded him. Financial difficulties arose and he became personally connected with these, to the great injury of his ministerial standing among the people. Up to this time, the church was in a fairly prosperous condition. But from this time the interest in the church waned-the attendance grew less and strife and bitterness increased. After a brief, and not pleasant, term of service Mr. Eagleson resigned his charge in October, 1884.
Rev. Athelbert J. Alexander, the present pastor, began his labors here in May of 1885. He labored as stated supply until the following spring, when he received and accepted a call to become pastor of the church. He was installed in May of 1886. His call promises him $800 a year. When he began his labors here, the church was as usual burdened with a heavy debt. The people were very much discouraged about the con- dition of the church. The wound inflicted was deep and of long continuance. But there is balm in Gilead and a physician there. The Sun of righteousness arose with healing in his wings. Un- der the simple messages of the gospel of hope and love, the hurt of the daughter of my people is healed. There have been received into the church about one hundred and twenty persons during the present pastorate thus far. The public services are well attended. We have had a Young People's Christian Asso- ciation in successful operation for over two years. There is a commendable degree of interest taken in our weekly prayer meetings. The spirit of benevolence seems to be growing. Good will, kindly feelings and united earnest work, characterize our church life to-day. The large indebtedness has been liqui- dated, and the finances of the church put upon a sounder basis. " Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL .-- From as early as 1835, during Rev. James Fleming's pastorate, a Sabbath-school has been in suc- cessful operation. The following is a partial list of its superin- tendents : David Stewart, J. B. Reed, M.D., James McNeal, John Reed, John McCracken, Thomas Stewart, Samuel Oldham, Sr.,
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George Hart, Franklin Henderson, George Eckles, Hugh Arm- strong, Berridge Lucas, James Henderson and J. C. McAfee.
The school employs from eight to ten teachers, and has about one hundred scholars. It uses "The Westminster Lesson Helps " and the Assembly's "Shorter Catechism."
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES .- A Woman's Missionary Society has been carried on in this church from about the year 1870. It was organized during Rev. R. B. Farrar's time of labor here. With some short intermissions it has been in good working condition ever since.
There are also a " Young People's Missionary Society " and a " Children's Band of Willing Workers." Regular instruction is given in all the missionary meetings of the church, and an in- crease in the contributions of the people toward this cause is the best evidence of the growth of a missionary spirit among us.
LIST OF RULING ELDERS. - Alex. Gunn, David Stewart and Thomas Steel, Sr., elected September, 1831; John McCracken, James Jamison, Berridge Lucas and John M. Baird, elected July, 1839; William Armstrong, David G. Fleming, John Wherry and John McConnell, September, 1854; Samuel Oldham, elected March, 1856; James Smith, Thomas Steel and James Atkinson, elected March, 1867 ; Samuel Oldham and George Eckles, elected December, 1869; Alfred Kimmins and John Reed, elected Jan- uary, 1873 ; Joseph Sutherland, Andrew W. Kimmins and James Atkinson (re-elected), elected March, 1879; William D. Teagar- den, M.D., Albert Mooney. George W. Rhoades, James Howard and Robert Fleming, elected June, 1887.
* BETHLEHEM (BEAVER COUNTY, PA.).
This church was organized June 18, 1832, by Rev. John K. Cunningham, appointed for that purpose by the Presbytery of Ohio. On the 6th of October, 1868, it was transferred to the Presbytery of Washington. Previous to the organization of the church, irreligion and wickedness prevailed in the neighborhood. The church owes its existence largely to the efforts of one man ---- John Potter-who moved into the neighborhood in 1830. He had previously served as an elder in Mingo Church, and was
* By REV. W. F. HAMILTON.
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unremitting in his efforts to secure a church organization in his new home. He was elected and installed its first elder on the day of the church's organization. William Rambo and Jonathan Cross, elected the same day, were ordained September 2d follow- ing. For nearly twelve years the church remained without a pastor, during which it was meagrely supplied by appointments of presbytery. Meanwhile the Sabbath-school was kept up, and on days when there was no preaching, a sermon-mostly one of Burder's-was read, or an exhortation given by one of the elders. The divine blessing accompanied these means, and many were received into the church. One hundred and fifty members were on the roll when the first pastor was installed.
PASTORS AND SUPPLIES .- Rev. Samuel Hair, pastor, 1844-47 ; Rev. John Hazlett, pastor, 1847-52; Rev. A. O. Rockwell, pastor, 1852-55 ; Rev. James M. Smith, pastor, 1855-65 ; Rev. W. M. White, stated supply, 1866-70; Rev. J. S. Pomeroy, stated supply, one year and three months ; Rev. G. W. Schaiffer, pastor- elect, one year; Rev. D. L. Dickey, pastor, 1876-82; Rev. P. J. Cummings, pastor, 1882-87.
RULING ELDERS .--- John Potter, installed June 18, 1832; dis- missed ------; died August 28, 1878, aged seventy-five. Jona- than Cross, ordained September 2, 1832; entered the ministry ; died December 18, 1876, aged seventy-three. William Rambo, ordained September 2, 1832; removed late in life to Iowa; died at an advanced age, December 13, 1871. Samuel Thompson, previously ordained ; installed September 8, 1841. Thomas Parkinson, ordained March 15, 1845 ; removed elsewhere, IS58; .died November 6, 1870, aged seventy-five. James Kerr, ordained March 15, 1845 ; died January 12, 1867. William McClure, in- Samuel Wilson, Jr., John Jack, installed Thomas P. Fleeson, stalled September 1, 1855; died 1863. ordained September 1, 1855 ; died 1862. January 15, 1858; removed to Industry. ordained January 16, 1858. John Tucker, ordained January 16, 1858; died 1863. John Engles, ordained 1863 ; removed to In- dustry. Robert Henderson, ordained December 19, 1863 ; joined the United Presbyterian Church. H. E. Wright, ordained De- cember 19, 1863. William Elliott, ordained about 1873 or 1874. William Cook, ordained about 1873 or 1874. Samuel Thomp-
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